Garden of Promise, Thomas Kinkade, Candamar Designs

When a close friend recently lost loved ones, I was amazed to see the serenity and peace that filled his heart. It was almost as if, despite the hardship of parting, he was already anticipating the joyful reunion that lay ahead. He reminded us that he would see them again soon.

I was so touched with the grace and hope God had given this man that I decided to do a painting as a tribute to the hope many of us share of the better life that lies ahead. I chose a garden with a rambling stone walkway climbing up through flower hedges to illusitrate my theme. In my painting, as we make our way up the stony path, we seek to reach the top where the brilliant purity of a white dogwood in the sunnlight greets us with the hope of what lies beyond the gate.

There is a garden, a place of peach promised to each of us, and the gate lies open to those who wish to come in. My prayer is that my portrayal of The Garden of Promise will remind many of this hope that lies ahead. As one anonymous chorus puts it:

Beyond the gate will peace await

And joy to fill each heart----

A fragrant bower every hour

And love that never parts.